Acting Assistant Foreign Minister for Security Policy, Branimir Filipovic had talks with Mr Mark Lancaster, Minister of State for the Armed Forces at the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who was on a visit to the Republic of Serbia.

In the talks, they exchanged views on a number of issues concerning the foreign and defence policy and the promotion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in these areas.

The importance of promoting such cooperation was underscored in particular in the context of the 180th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries being marked this year.

The Serbian side presented the foreign policy priorities of the country, focusing in particular on the European integration process, maintenance and promotion of peace and stability in the region, and the development of relations with a wide scope of partners worldwide, in order to be able to further strengthen the foreign policy reputation of Serbia at international level, one of a responsible and predictable partner contributing to regional, European and world peace and stability.

Serbia's position of military neutrality was also emphasized as was its commitment to the development of cooperation at international level in its endeavours to achieve national interests.

Both sides stressed the importance of the Berlin Process for the region and of the upcoming Summit to be hosted by the United Kingdom in this framework next year.